Facing the Music - Learning to Dance
For two decades, Americans have romanced the idea of money.
First, it was the dot-com boom with twenty-somethings turning into millionaires overnight. Then came the housing bubble with charming neighborhood homes being torn down to build McMansions. Later, morning talk programs were eclipsed by financial news shows with live stock market feeds. Late night television followed with Mad Money’s Kramer becoming a national celebrity. Year by year, credit cards replaced savings accounts as individual safety nets. Leverage became the new business plan. More and more college students were graduating with enormous school loans. America piously preached democracy and capitalism to other countries, then proved the limits of that system with our own avarice. Washington was no different. To repay campaign donations, politicians owed lobbyists their livelihoods. Even the U.S. government became mired in debt, and, internationally, we earned the label of the biggest debtor nation.
Is it any wonder that the stock market and the American economy are crashing down around us?
But, despite the gloom and doom from Wall Street, despite our own personal crises, despite the political rhetoric, all is not lost. Money, though idolized and now villified, is not our only resource or our only compass. America still has the wealth of its people and the dream of a better world. So, while financiers, politicians, bureaucrats and candidates blame and complain and still fail to address the root causes of most of our problems (greed!), what can we do? A lot!
Like so many things, happiness (and economic morality) begins at home.
- We can stop thinking about what we want or deserve and relearn the concept of need. (Faith, food, shelter, family and health make a pretty short list!)
- We can shift our energies from me to we. (Remember the InSpiritry mantra — It’s not just about you!)
- We can stop concentrating on the end of the month and extend our vision to a bright future. (Immediate gratification is a dangerous drug!)
- We can admit our own involvement in the dynasty of debt and start making changes today. (One day at a time is the best plan for personal growth!)
- We can see ourselves as a source not a beneficiary of blessings. (Serving others is infinitely more affirming than being served!)
For those of us who sincerely envision a better world, the Greater Good depends on us now more than ever. Let’s embrace our role as changemakers and peacemakers. Let’s work together using the InSpiritry core values of community (we need each other), compassion (opening our hearts), creativity (finding new ways), collaboration (working together), consilience (knowledge and wisdom), courage (strength of character) and celebration (joy, gratitude and generosity).
It’s time to face the music – we have lived beyond our means– but we can dance our way back!
When we focus on the Greater Good, we can be a blessing!
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February 10th, 2009 at 5:38 pm
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February 10th, 2009 at 5:39 pm
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